Electric plug



Pnt-mea June 17, 1924.

i UNITED s'lfa'r'lzs;

PATENTS oFF'icE.

G. PACENT, OF WINFIELD, LONG" ISLANIO, N'EvT- OBK, ASSIG-NOB T0 PACENT E'LHITBIC C OIPAN'Y, INCORPORATED, 0F YORK, N'. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

uname rum.

` Application mea Deeeinber 5, 1921. serial No. 520,025.

To all 'whom t may-concern Be it known that I, LOUIS G. PACENT, a

citizen of the'United States, residing at .Winfield, Long Island, in the county .of

Queens, State of .New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Plugs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inventiom'such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it.

appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has for its object, first, the provision of an unusually simple and economical, but highly electrically eilicient structure for electric'plugs, particularly of the so-called telephone type, wherein standard material, for example, standard .metal vtubing and'rods, may be employed, thereby both simplifying the manufacture and re.-

'e structure, enables the plug to be unassembled, `the leads connected, and the plug re'- assembled .for use with but few manual.` l

' cles 1n place of binding posts. Heretofore operations. h

To this end aplug is provided in which the main contacts may'be, for example, of standard metal tubing and standard brass rod, respectively,- the rod 'or shank at one extremity, being provided with a knob or head of suitable diameter. The inner rod contact may be 'insulated from the outer tubular contact by` collars of insulating material supported; on the inner rod contact and inv turn supporting the outer tubular contact. Two such collars may bev utilized, one at one end of the tubing and another at the other end thereof.l Sprin pressed clips or'connectors are also provide for' connecting the lead or leads to the contact portions thereby 4eliminating screwor solder connections.

.The s lring pressed` clips may be-supportjed-in e ectrical contact -with eachv of the.

contact portions andl may-be insulated from each otherin any suitable manner, forV example, 'by the lcollar of insulating material which "supports the outer tubing-contact from .the inner rod contact." A simple means has been devised for retaining the sprin A pressed contacts on the rod-or shank an comprises` v or attaching Va small Y been compressed' or.

be seen that the ed grip or handle which may comprise two moulded bakelipe pieces, each with a recessed finger grip, and the plug with its spring pressed conductors or clips. The two bakelite pieces comprising the handle also retain theplug contacts and may. he held together with a screw whichv `is threaded into a brass insertvin one ofthe two bakelite pieces. 'The screw should be dead electrically, an advantageous precaution when the plug is utilized in connection with high potentials. Y

A plug constructed in4 accordancel with this invention is particularlyadapted for use inconnection with .the operation of modern radio apparatus iwhich is generally provided with telephone jacks or .plugvreceptaoperation. On'the other hand, the' presentv plug structure accommodates telephone cord tips .o1- solid conductors of any description without soldering or preparing'the vconductor or lead ends in an manner. If stranded conductors areemp oyed, however,

it`may be found advantageous to stiden theend or ends 'thereof by'l dipping them inlhot solder and permitting them to cool before inserting them in the spring. pressed conf ductors.

' Any of the usual forms of leads or conductors may lbe-employed and connected to :the plug contacts by inserting the tip or conductor end within the sprin clip which` has y to permit the insertion thereof'. A r the' spring pressed clip orconnector is per'mltted to return or partiallyreturn to its normal-position, '1t

- will be found that the leads are securely retained by the clipand cannot readily be withdrawn until the connectors or clips are' again compressed. This form of connection assures a substantially perfect and permanent electrical contact -which isreadily effected in a few moments without the use of special tools.

If it is desired to remove the possibility of accidentaluwithdrawal of a leadv or leads from the spring pressed connectors or clips,

a recess may be provided in the moulded handle pieces of the plug wherein a knotted portion of the insulating covering, for ex-4 ample, the usual cotton covering of telephone cords, may be inserted and retained etween the two moulded pieces comprising the handle. In this way all strain is relieved from the leads themselves and is assumed by the covering material.

Referring now to the drawings and the following description thereof, from which. a more complete understanding of the invention may be had:

Figure 1 is a top view of an assembled plug having the leads inserted therein and ready for use; Fig. 2 is a top view of the plug having one of the moulded handle pieces removed to show the manner of inserting the leads in the spring pressed clips orconnectors; Fig. 3 'is a cross-sectional view taken along lines l-lot' Fig. l; Fig. 4 illustrates the manner of assembling the contact portions and connectors of the plug; Fig. 5 is a top view of a modified form of plug structure; Fig. 6 is a view of the plug of Fig. .5 having one of the handle pieces removed fto show the manner of thearrangement of the spring pressed connectors or clips, and arrangement of the modified .plug structure; Fig. 7 isa cross-sectional vview of the plug taken along lines` 3-3 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a crossfsectional view ofthe plug structure taken'along lines 4 4 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 illustrates the mode of assembling the modified plug structure.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the plug structure comprises a brass rod or shank l having a head 2 of similar material brazed or otherwise fixed upon the shank 1 and of the proper size or diameter for Inaking contact with an element of the usual telephone jack receptacle. A collar 3 of insulating material, such as fiber or bakelite,

4is supported adjacent the head 2 upon the shank 1 for insulating and supporting the tubular contact portion l4 of the plug, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3. A second collar 5 of insulating material also serves to support the tubular contact portion 4 out of electrical contact' with the opposite extremity of the shank 1, and incidentally serves to retain the spring connector clips 6 in elec trical Vcontact with the tubular portion 4. The collar 5 also serves to support 'the spring pressed connector clips 7, which are electrically connected to the shank or rod 1 by flattening or spinning the end of the shank 1 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3. In this way the plug contacts and spring connectors are conveniently and permanently assembled into a single unit, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2.. y

Other forms of spring pressed clips or connectors mayy be employed, but it has been :found that -the t pe of clip illustrated in Fig. 4 formed o either steel or phosphor bronze enables .excellent electrical connections to be made with telephone cord tips and solid or stranded conductors, and is furthermore' economical and simple to manufacture.

The completed electrical plug structure is pieces comprising the handle 10 are identicalk and are ada ted to be held together with a screw threa ed into a brass insert 21 in one of. the halves or pieces, for example, the piece 11. It will, therefore, be seen that when the screw 22 is threaded into the brass insert 21 the' two halves of the handle 10 enclose and effectively retain the electrical plu structure into whichv the leads or solid con uctors have been connected by inserting them in the spring pressed clips 6 and 7, for example, the ypin type telephone cord tips 25, 26 shown'in Fig. 2.

The accidental withdrawal of the teleplione cord tips 25, 26 shown in Fig. 2 may within the recess 18. In this way when the -I plug is completely assembled by screwingthe two halves or pieces together, the mate rial 27 will assume all strains which are put upon the cords, and will eectively prevent the accidental withdrawal of the cord tips' 25, 26 from the s ring pressed connectors 6 and 7, respective y.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, which illustrate a modified form of the electrical structure of the plug, '35 is a brass rod or shank having a head 36 of the ,same material and of proper diameter aliixed 'upon the rod 35, the 4head and shank comprismg one contact portion of the plug. It will be noted that the rod 35 is providedY with threads 37 yat one end thereof fory purposes which will-be explained hereinafter.

Asin .the case of the fplug structure illustrated in Fig.y 4, asuitably formed collar 38 o; insulating material is adaptedL to be positioned adjacent the head 36 and supported upon the rod 35 for the purpose of insulating the tubular contact portion 39 from both the shank and the head se of .adapted to be supported, is also arranged to be supported upon the shank 37, and in turnto support the opposite extremity of the tubular contactportion 39. out. of electrical Contact with the shank-35.-

In order that the electrical structure of the plug may be assembled into one unit, a threaded Vbrass nut A43 is adapted to be screwed to the shank portion 35 by .means of the threads 37. -In this way the spring' pressed clips 41 and .42 are brought into. electrical contact respectively, with the tubular portion 39 and the shank portion 35.- The brass threaded nut. 43 is provided with threads which enable it to serve as the central uniting member for theA two halves l45, 46 of the handle 47. In .this way, when the screws 48, 49 are threaded into the nut 43 the complete structure of the plug is assembled into a unit similar to the manner de-- scribed in connection with the plug 'structure illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be observed, however, that in this instancetwo screws are necessato retain the halves or pieces of the han le instead of one as is the case with the structure illustrated in'Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

As in .the case of the plug structure illus.- tra'ted in Fig. 2 the handle grip of the modi- 'fied plugis also provided with 'recesses 55,/- 56, 57, 5.8, 59 andl 60, into -which the electrical plug structure is adapted to be fitted.

neo

The accidental withdrawal of the telephone cord tips 50,751 is prevented from being accidentally withdrawn by knotting a por. tion. of the insulating covering material and telephone cords, and placing it in the recess 59. Therefore, when the plug structure is completelyl assembled the material 61 vwill effectively prevent the accidental withdrawal of the cord tips 50, 51 in the` manner described in connection with Fig. 2'.

As pointed out' hereinabove, the contact portions 1, 4 and 35, 39 may be made from standardbrass rod and standard brass vtubing, respectively, which enables a great reduction in the costof 'manufacturing a plug constructed in accordance with the present invention as compared with the cost of manufacture of telephone plugs heretofore constructed in the usual manner. Further, the method of assemblingthe improved plug is extremely simple as compared with the mode of assembling the well known .types of telephone plugs, and again becausel of the size and character of the moulded handle or' grip of the improved plug, it,.makes it'a very convenient plug touse and handle,

.particularly when it is considered that because of the'recessed finger grips an excellent orasp suitable for all types of fingers -ma lie readily had. In this connection it will ble understood that the handle itself of the improved plug is'als'o bothv cheap and simple to manufacture because it may-be of moulded insulating materiah'and further, thetwo without departing from the spirit and'scope of this invention, particularly if the modified structure employs contact portions and spring pressed connectors 'associated therewith, .which are adapted to be assembled into a moulded handle or grip' of insulating material and retained therein as a unit.

I claim: i. .X

1. In combination with an electric plug of thetelephone type, including a contact portion, a connector electrically associated with said contact portion, said connector comprising two adjacent members, at least one of which is` resilient, each of said membershaving a hole therein through which a conductor may be inserted, the openings in*saidmembers aligning to permit insertion of the conductor when the resilient member is .flexed and disaligning when said resilient member is released, the conductor being retained'by the pressure Aexerted .by thel resilient member' tending to assume its free osition. l i

2. n 'combination with an electric plug of the telephone'type, including a contact portion, a connector electricallyassociated with -said .contact portion, comprising two adjacent members, each of said members having a -hole therein to permit the insertion of a conductor, one of said members being resilient and adapted to normally engage and retain the electrical conductor and torelease said conductor when vmoved from lits normal position. v

3. An electric 'plug of the.. flephne comprising a contact portion having a rodlike shank and' a head, a collar ofinsulating material supported on said shank adjacent the head, a tubular contact portion supported out of electrical contact with thel tact portion said connectors being sup- I ported andretained on said second collar,

and a split handle of insulating material 4." An' electric-plug of the telephone type, comprising a contact portion and a springpressed connector associated therewith, said -for retaining'said contacts and'con'nectors.

connectorcomprising two diverg'ing flatl r springs, eachI spring having a hole therein,

" the holes insaid springs registering one' with-the other when said springs are pressed together to permit the easy insertion of an said iconnector'comprising two-adj acent con` tact springs, each of said springs having a hole therein positionedY so that the two holes register whensaid contact springs are` iiexed out of their normal positions to permit insertion 'of an electrical; conducton' whereby 'said conductor is retained by thetendency of said Vcontact springs to resume their. normal position and thus' disalign the' holes therein.

6. An electric of the telephone type4 comprising va rod contact-portion vhan/'ing a head and a rod-like shank, a tubular contact. portion surrounding said rod contact porf tion, a spring-pressed connector associated' with' each of said contact portions, said connectors .being diametrically opposed,

Vmeans-.for retaining saidl contact portions' .and connectors together as a unit, and a flat two-.piece insulating'handle adapted to. .partially enclose said unit.

7 'n electric plug of the telephonetype:

comprising ya Contact portion, and means associated With said vcontact portion .for-ef'- fecting a releasable Agripping engagement on a' conductor whereby said'conductor is re.-

tained in electrical connection 'with said contact. portion, said -means being operable f to increase .its grip on the conductor .in

comprising a contact portion and 'resilient' -means' assoclated with said contactportion A 'With Vsaid contact portion, said means being- Iresponse to'incr'eascd pull on the conductor tending to withdraw the latter Vfrom en gage'ment with the-'plug 82 Anclectric plug'of the telephone type for' effecting a releasable gripping engage- .ment on'a pin type cord tip whereby said cord tip' is retained'fin electrical connection operable 'to increase its grip on the cordtip in response toincreasedpull on the conductor' .with saidA cordtip tendingto.Withdraw7 the latter .fromengagement with theplug, 9: An electric plugof the telephone type comprising acontact por-tion. having a rod# like 'shank and. 'ar head, a', contact -portion jof metal tubing shorter than said rod contact ortion and mounted. coneentrically therewith, aA dielectric tubing mounted hon' said rod contact portion and supporting said vlease said' conductor, and a Macnee'.

tubular contact portion, said dielectric tube projecting beyond said metal tubing contact portion, a spring-pressed connector supported on the end ofsaid dielectric tubing and abutting said' metal tubing contact portion, a spring-pressed connector mounted on. said rod contact portion-'and insulatedfrom said first-mentioned connector, said connectors being diametricallydisposed, and means including Vsaid. rod-1ike` contact portion' for securing said contact portions and connectors together as an electrical unit.-

;10. An electric plug of the telephonetype comprising a contact portion having arodlike shank and ahead, a contact portion of metal tubing shorter than'said rod-like con- 'tact portion and 'mounted concentrically therewith, a dielectric tubing mounted on said rodlike contact portion and supporting said tubular portion, said dielectric vtubing' projecting beyond said metal tubing contact portion, a spring-pressed connector supportedv on the end of said dielectrc-tubing' 'and abutting said metal' tube contact on said rod contact from said tirst-mentlo'ned` connector, said connectors being diametrically. disposed, means including saidrod-li'ke contact -portion forjsecuringsaid vcontact portions and connectors together as an electrical unit, and Aa two-piece insulating handle adapted to .retain and partially enclose said plug unit by clamping said unit between the parts thereof.v v

l1. An electric" plug of the telephone'type,

comprising aj contact portion 'adapted to be .inserted in a' spring jack, spring-pressed .r

connectors electrically connected to `said con! tact portion, said connectors each being 'operable toqgri a wire-like conductor and further operable upon bein andle 'for said plug, .said 'contact yportion 'together With said connectors'and 'said handle forming a self-contained'structure.

' 12.',An electricplug of the telephone'type,

comprising a contactL portion'adapted to be' linserted in a spring Jack, conducting means connected .with said contact portion for' releasably securing a'.- wire-like conductor -thereto, .said means comprisinga resilient member operable to eiiect a* gripping action on the wireflike conductor.

portion, a spring-pressed connector'mounted portion ,and insulated flexed 'to reloo In 'testimonywhereof I aiiix my signature.'

"Louis G. Paolini?.vv 

